ULM-ULTRA-MINCE

This paper discusses the properties, applications, and benefits of ULM, and presents two case studies of it's use. ULM-ultra-mince was developed in France; the French term 'ultra-mince' means 'very thin'. ULM is a non-porous designed gap-graded hot mix asphalt, incorporating a high proportion of single-size high-PSV 10mm aggregate with an EVA polymer-modified binder. It is usually laid between March and October with 20mm thickness, but the thickness can be increased to 45-50mm when regulation of the road surface is required. Its primary benefits are: (1) a faster rate of laying, compared with conventional hot rolled asphalt (HRA); (2) a quiet running surface; (3) a surface producing little spray; (4) an ability to provide a regulated new surface with good texture; (5) usability in high-stress locations; (6) an opportunity to reshape and and regulate the carriageway, eliminating existing rutting with little traffic disruption; and (7) more efficient use of aggregates. In the first case study, ULM was applied to a three-lane carriageway between Junctions 1 and 2 of the M20 motorway in Kent, England, which had become dangerously rutted. In the second case study, ULM was applied to the A1 trunk road at Eaton Socon, Cambridgeshire, England, whose concrete surface was spalling and cracking at an increasing rate. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 889137.

• Corporate Authors:

  INSTITUTE OF ASPHALT TECHNOLOGY

  PAPER MEWS PLACE, 290 HIGH STREET
  DORKING, SURREY  United Kingdom  RH4 1QT
• Authors:
  • LAGAN, J
• Publication Date: 1997

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 33-4
• Serial:
  • THE ASPHALT YEARBOOK 1997
  • Publisher: INSTITUTE OF ASPHALT TECHNOLOGY

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Arterial highways; Binders; Bituminous mixtures; Freeways; Hot coated materials; Polymers; Prevention; Properties of materials; Rutting; Surfacing; Thickness
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 4577: Aggregate; 4948: Binder; 4967: Bituminous mixture; 4997: Hot coated material; 2748: Main road; 2752: Motorway; 7482: Polymer; 9149: Prevention; 5925: Properties; 3081: Rutting (wheel); 2972: Surfacing; 5933: Thickness; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00737406
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jun 27 1997 12:00AM